Youngsters show spirit
Panne must beat Boksburg this weekend to be secured in the semi-final.
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Brakpan Rugby Club hosted Vereeniging in a Valke Rugby Union Peregrine League encounter at the Bosman Stadium on July 14 and showed signs of progress.
The first team, consisting of a number of young players from the second team, the Lilywhites, lost 31-24 to Vereeniging but showed great grit and tenacity.
“It seems that the team is finally finding their way and for the first time this year we saw our forwards playing the rugby we know they can,” said club chairperson Harry Nieuwenhuis.
“Our captain Reg Muller scored three tries and was exceptional leading from the front with Vernon du Preez, Jo Meyer and Pieter Nel playing great games as well.
“The first team needed an additional five minutes and the game would have been won, but as they say ‘the scoreboard tells the final story’.
Also read: ‘The team to beat’ brush Panne aside
“We must beat Boksburg this weekend to secure a semi-final.
“Taking into consideration that the likes of PJ Beukes, Gideon van Wyk, Phillip Barwise, Rubin Smith, Danie Hatting and Tabu Tau (our whole backline) did not play this weekend. Our young and inexperienced players from the Lilywhites were under pressure from the word go but they played their part in a near win.”
The team has a tough week ahead with two matches in Boksburg.
“We play Boksburg this Saturday away at Prince George Park and then Wednesday night (July 25) it’s East Rand United in Reiger Park.
“Then, we’re back at Bosman Stadium for the last game again versus Boksburg.
“We need to take 10 bonus points from these three games to make sure that we reach the semi-final again like we did last year.
“From there, anything can happen and, with the way we are currently playing, it’s still not impossible to reach the Valke finals.”
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